The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1887-09-08
SERVICE ON THE FRONTIER.
Woman's Life Among the Apaches->A
Protese of Gen. Sherman.
Special Correspondence


New YORK, Aug. S.-Mrs. NJ. II. Stacey,
widow of Col May H. Stacey, late COM
mander of Fort Ontario at OSwego, n. Y,
and who previous to that served several
wears in tn extreme west, related to several
of us, at all informal meeting the other day,
some incidents of her life on the frontier
SIN Camp Halleck, Nevada" the little lady
said to those around her, "we were awak-
ened late one night by guard tapping on
window l listened for several minutes, half
asleep.
For heavens sake, wake up, colonel!
the guard called out; the Apaches are break
ing into the camp. We have not moment
to lose.'
"By this time Col. tacey had sprung from
bed and was dressed. Bidding me stay in
doors, and ON no account to leave the build
ing, he rushed out ! was thoroughly awake
by that time and VIII frightened. Every
nerve was quaking With terror, but what
could l do9 My little ones were with mo
sleeping soundly. Outside all was confusion
| could hear the soldiers rushing about,
startled and alert in preparing for the I'M
bending engagement, and when they moved
sway everything was quiet unnaturally
shetland | could feel my heart pounding,
pounding away like an engine. slipped out
of bed and managed to dress My husband
had taught me how to use a revolver, and l
had one of my own. secured it and lighting
a lamp seated myself at a table, determined
to fight all could if necessary. By this time
firing had commenced and my fear increased.
How long | sat there I do not know. At
every movement outside / put my hand on
the pistol.
aWhen the savages were driven away my
husband came in, glad that the attack had
not been serious oh, how l have been
frightenedr said.
az guess that's So he said. THE door is
wide OPEN
"And so it was l had been so beside my
self that hadn't closed it when my husband
rushed out.
"When in Arizona had another fight that
l will n1ver forget" Mrs. Stacey continued.
"The Indians were not hostile at that time.
but, of course, we never knew what to expect
of them. had been sick abed for several
weeks, and my husband left me alone with
the children for few minutes one evening to
sign some papers that he had forgotten to
look after in day time. 1t was about 10 o'clock.
had been restless all day and felt drowsy.
was mapping, but suddenly found myself wide
awake. A lamp was burning, so could see
everything distinctly, and right at my bed
side stood herculean Indian, erect as an
arrow, his arms folded and his gaze full upon
me. was too much frightened TO speak or
scream, nor could take my eyes from his
horrid face. He didn't move a muscle, only
looked wonderingly, calculating 'HumphP
now and then Luckily my husband returned
in few minutes and hustled the fellow out.
He wanted to see the big man of the white
people, it seems, and Indian fashion, ushered
himself in, unannounced, while the door was
ajar. He meant no harm, but came very
near killing me with fright"
Col. Stacey will be remembered as figuring
prominently in the suppression of the draft
riots in New York. He also served on Han
cocks staff, and with Candy and Ayres and
in the navy. He died from the effects of a
wound received at Gaines Mills, AID the
Oswego G.. A. r. post was named in his honor.
Mrs. Stacey is the daughter of Judge Thad-
deus Banks, of Pennsylvania, and grand
daughter of Hon. Ephraim Banks.
HENRY ALDEN.